Saddle structure



Jan. 6, 1953 D. O. DIAZ SADDLE STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 2'7, 1951 DOMINGO. O, DIAZ Patented Jan. 6, 1953 2,624,167 SADDLE STRUCTURE Domingo nix, Ariz., a corpora Application February 7 2 Claims.

This invention pertains to improved saddle structure. More particularly the invention concerns an improved stirrup leather hanger.

Heretofore stirrups have been attached to the saddle tree by leathers looped over each rail of the saddle tree. These leathers loop the stirrups at the bottom and are twisted throughout their length so the stirrup will hang in proper position for the admission of the riders feet. Since one of the folds of the loop necessarily extended from beneath the rails, and since the cinch rigging is attached to the outer surfaces of the saddle, this rigging has always interfered with the free forward swinging of the stirrups. This fault is particularly present in western type saddles where heavy rigging and heavy stirrup leathers are used. The resistance to free forward swinging requires effort on the part of the rider to maintain the stirrups properly twisted and in position for correct balance at all times. When riding down a decline this condition is particularly noticeable for the reason that it is necessary to pitch the feet far forward to maintain the balance.

In view of the foregoing, one of the objects of my invention is to provide a saddle tree with a stirrup hanger arranged so that the stirrup leathers can be attached in a position over the rigging and so that they will swing free of all rigging or other obstructions, both forward and rearward.

Another object is to providea saddle provided with stirrup leather hangers-adapted to swingably support stirrup leathers in a manner so they will swing freely forward without binding on any part ofthe rigging or other saddle structure;

Another object is to provide a saddle structure having the forward cincha rigging attached directly to the skirting and below the tree rails, and stirrup leather hangers attached to the rails having pivotal means adapted to swingably support stirrup leathers, or fender leathers, arranged to act as stirrup leathers, so that they will swing rearward or forward without binding on, or snagging the cincha rigging or any other part of the saddle structure;

Another object is to provide a stirrup leather hanger adapted to be attached to the upper face of each of the saddle tree rails and extend outwardly and downwardly therefrom and pivotally support an included plate attached to a stirrup leather so that the stirrup will swing freely over and outside of the saddle rigging.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

Diaz, Phoenix, Ariz., N. Porter Saddle and Harness Company,

assignor to Phoetion of Arizona 27, 1951, Serial No. 212,957

Figure 2 is a three quarter front perspective view of a saddle tree with my hanger attached to the near tree rail;

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the underside of the top portion of a hanger with the pivot pin sectioned off, showing the means of attaching the stirrup leather; and

Figure 4 is a cross section taken through the hanger and a stirrup leather supported therein, drawn on an enlarged scale.

Similar parts are indicated by similar numbers in the several views.

The saddle tree 2 is shown with the jockey removed in order to show the location of the hanger 3. This hanger is composed of two plates, 2. lower plate 4 and an upper plate 5 made, preferably, of 22 gauge stainless steel. Each plate is similarly shaped. The top edge 6 is straight and just below it there are a number of attaching holes 8. The front edge It curves arcuately downward and joins the curved bottom edge I2 by a smooth continuation of the The bottom rear edge l4 extends upward and rearward and joins the rear end of top edge 6 with a smooth curve. Thus shaped, a pair of plates may be placed one over the other and secured to the outer face of each of the tree rails I5 with their top edges paralleling the upper edges l6 of the rails. This structure provides a straight elongated attaching part Il through which screws l8 extend, and a depending tab portion l9 through which holes 20 are drilled to receive pivot pin 2|.

It is to be noted that plates 4 and 5 which compose the hanger are attached with their front edges It just to the rear of the pommel 22.

After attaching, the two plates are sprung apart and the stirrup leather attaching tab 24 inserted between them. This tab is provided with a metal wear washer 26 which is riveted to the under side of the tab. The tab and the washer are both provided with holes to receive pin 2| with a free running fit. The head 21 of this pin is flat, and the inner end extends only a short distance beyond plate 4. Since plates 4 and 5 are mounted on the outer face of the tree rails, adequate space is provided becurved front edge.

TENT OFFICES f' neath plate 4 to elevate the inner end of pin 2| so that it does not contact the skirt leather 30.

Whereas in the drawings I have shown but one side of the tree with parts of the finishing structure attached, it is to be understood that the hanger on the opposite side of the tree is the right hand. counter part. of the. left hand hanger illustrated.

Tab 24 is provided with thong lacing holes 32 and a short single length stirrup leather may be attached, and provided with the usual fender. However, it is preferable to attach the upper end of fender 34 directly to tab 24, and let the fender act as and for the usual stirrup leather. The stirrup (not shown) may be attached by a short loop at the bottom of the fender.

From the foregoing it will be easily understood that, with the stirrup supported on fender 34 and this, in turn, laced to tab 24, the stirrup and fender may be freely swung forward as indicated by dotted outline 34a. This is greatly to be desired because it takes the usual strain from the riders knees and enables him to attain better balance when pulling up from a run, or in going down hill.

Although this hanger and its attendant structure may be used on any type of saddle and with any rigging, it is preferably adapted to be used in cooperation with the rigging shown in Figure l. The rear rigging Dee ring 3! is attached by leather 38 to the tree rails just in back of the cantle 39. The saddle skirt is then reinforced :by leather- '59 at the front and a metal bar 42 inserted between the skirt leather and the reinforcing. The latigo $3 of the front cincha is then folded over this bar and laced on, by thong 44. When this type of front rigging is used there are no protrusions or edges whatever to impede the full free swing of the tab 2 3, fender 34, or any similar stirrup leathers.

While the objects are, as stated, chiefly to provide a free swing for the stirrup leathers, it is also to-be noted that the positioning and attachment of the metal hangers, and skirt rigging as shown, eliminates a great deal of work heretofore necessary in covering the saddle tree. Where the stirrup leathers are used it is necessary to build the rails up on each side of the stirrup leather groove in the tree rails with ground work. The same is true with other hangers heretofore tried. However, with the hangers attached as shown, very littleif any ground work is necessary. It becomes a very simple operation for the saddle maker to even or smooth up the seat bottom. The whole tree structure can be made narrower when desired, and more comfortable for many 4 riders. As a result of this structure there is a marked simplification in the manufacture of the complete saddle, and economy in the use of material.

I claim:

1. A stirrup leather hanger for attachment to the lower edges of saddle tree rails to pivotally support stirrup. leathers so that the stirrups attached thereto may be swung freely forward over the saddle rigging without snagging, consisting of an inner plate and an outer plate of sheet metal, both shaped to have an upper elongated attaching part adapted to be attached to the lower edge of a saddle tree rail, between the pommel and the cantle, and a depending tab portion pierced to receive a pivot pin, a :pivot pin, an attaching. tab having a metal wear washer on its under side pivotally held between said plates by said pivot pin, and a stirrup leather secured to said tab.

2. A stirrup leather hanger for'attachment' to the loweredges of the rails of saddle trees having rails extending from the pommel to the cantle, to pivotally support stirrup leathers so that they will swing freely forward over saddle; rigging attached to said tree, consisting of aninner and an outer plate of'rigid sheet material, each plate being shaped to have anupperelongated substantially straight attaching part perforated to receive attaching screws and adapted to be attached to the lower edge portion of a; saddle treerail', and a tab portion extending'below' said attaching part, havinga rounded lower edge; and having holes to receive a pivot pin, a pivot pin inserted through said holes in said tab portions of said plates, an attaching leathertab having ametal wear washer secured to itsunderside pierced in its upper portion to receivesaid pivot; pin and to be pivotally supported thereon between the tab portions of said plates, and a leather laced to said tab.

DOMINGO O. DIAZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of recordin. the file of. this patentr UNI-TED.- STA'IES- PATENTS Number Name Date 474,715 Bailey May 10, 1-892- l,508,631 Wellmann Sept. 1 6, 1924 2,130,442 Worcester Sept. 20-, 1938 2207,982 Hamley- July 16, 1940 2,208,303 Frueh July I6, 1940 2,315,487. Steele Apr. 6, 1943 2,467,663 Funk Apr. 19, 1949 stirrup; 

